Slow-Roasted BBQ Pork Baby Back Ribs

 

 One Year Ago: Homemade Pierogis

We had my granddaddy over for dinner tonight and my husband suggested that we have ribs.  Mmm! These turned out tender and tasty! Use your favorite store-bought BBQ sauce (Sweet Baby Ray's is our favorite) or make your own (see my recipe here)   These ribs can easily be made without the spice rub, which would save a ton of time, and they are still very tasty.  In fact, my husband prefers them without the spice rub; I, however, prefer the rub.  To make the ribs without the spice rub, simply bring the ribs to room temperature as iterated in the below recipe and season with salt and pepper before throwing them in the oven.  The spice rub recipe I used is from food.com.  When these are done cooking, you can throw them on the grill over high heat for a little to give them a nice crust.. 

Ingredients:
Printable Recipe

• Pork baby back ribs, 3 lbs
• 1/4 c brown sugar
• 2 tbsp c smoked paprika
• 1/2 tbsp black pepper
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion salt
• 1/4 tbsp salt
• 1/8 to 1/4 tsp cayenne (I omitted for the sake of my daughter)
• Beer, for basting (and sipping)
• BBQ Sauce - Click here for my homemade recipe

Directions:The day before serving the ribs, combine the spice rub ingredients in a medium bowl. Rub half of the mixture evenly over the front and back sides of the ribs.

Cover and refrigerate overnight.

5 hours before serving the ribs, rub the remaining spice rub evenly over the front and back sides of the ribs. Allow the ribs to sit out for 30 to 45 minutes to reach room temperature and set out the BBQ sauce to reach room temperature as well.

Preheat oven to 225 degrees. Bake for 4 hours on a tin foil-lined baking sheet. If the ribs appear dry, baste them with some beer. I basted with 1/3 cup of beer after 2 hours.

45 minutes before the ribs are done cooking, brush liberally with BBQ sauce. When the ribs are finished cooking, baste with more BBQ sauce. Allow the ribs to sit for 10 minutes before cutting into ribs.

Serve with sauce on the side and plenty of napkins.

Enjoy!

Cajun Chicken Sandwich with Homemade Cajun Seasoning

My husband and I are in love with a particular Cajun Chicken Sandwich that one of our local restaurants serves. Last weekend he said to me, "It would be great if you could mimic that sandwich." Although it is not exact, it was so very close to the taste and had the perfect level of spiciness to it. I think that next time I will eliminate the oregano (my husband is not a big fan of oregano unless it's on a pizza or Stromboli) and just throw in a dash of thyme. Either way, this sandwich was delicious!

Ingredients:

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken 
• 1/4 c butter, melted

Cajun Seasoning Mix

• 3/4 tbsp paprika
• 3/4 tsp onion salt
• 3/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/4 tsp white pepper
• 1/4 tsp cumin
• 1/4 tsp thyme
• 1/8 tsp oregano

Toppings

• Mayonnaise
• Sliced tomatoes
• Pepper jack cheese
• Lettuce
• Hamburger rolls, lightly toasted

Directions:

Preheat grill to medium heat.  Pound the chicken to 1-inch thickness.

Brush the chicken with butter on all sides.  

Combine the paprika, onion salt, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, white pepper, black pepper, cumin, thyme and oregano in a shallow bowl. 

Sprinkle the seasoning mixture on both sides of the chicken.  

Grill over medium heat for 4 to 6 minutes per side, or until the chicken is cooked through.

Arrange the sandwich.  Spread mayonnaise on both sides of buns.  Place the chicken on the mayonnaise and top with sliced tomato, pepper jack cheese and lettuce.

Enjoy!

Taco Seasoning Mix

For dinner tonight, I made chicken quesadillas. I have tried many different mixes in the past and have finally come across one that I love. About.com of all places is where I found my absolute favorite recipe!

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 tbsp cornstarch
  
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1/2 tbsp salt
• 1/2 tbsp paprika
• 1/2 tbsp sugar
• 1/4 tsp crushed chicken bouillon
  
• 3/4 tsp onion salt
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/4 tsp cumin
• 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

Directions:

• Mix up all of the ingredients.
  
• Store in an air-tight container.
  

Homemade Italian Seasoning Mix / Italian Salad Dressing

Homemade Italian Seasoning Mix:

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp garlic salt
• 1 tbsp onion salt
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 2 tbsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried basil
  
• 1 tsp dried parsley
• 1/4 tsp celery salt

Directions:
Combine all ingredients and store in sealed container.

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Homemade Italian Dressing:

Ingredients:

• Italian seasoning mix (as above)
  
• 1/4 c white vinegar
• 2/3 c oil
• 2 tbsp water

Directions:
Whisk vinegar, oil and water with 2 tablespoons of the dry mix for Italian dressing.